Blackstonian Interview

The Huntington’s production of Topdog/Underdog is directed by Tony Award winner Billy Porter. Suzan-Lori Parks wrote the play in 2001 and the show won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2002.

Topdog/Underdog is about two brothers named Lincoln and Booth – best friends and bitter rivals. Lincoln, a former 3-card monte hustler, works as a Lincoln impersonator in a shooting gallery; Booth is an aspiring grafter and tries to tempt his brother to get back in the game. Matthew J. Harris (last at the Huntington in Milk Like Sugar) plays Booth andTyrone Mitchell Henderson plays Lincoln.

About the production, Director Billy Porter says, “Topdog/Underdog is a different play [than it was in 2001]. It will resonate differently. I actually feel like it’s even more urgent now than it was then.” Billy has also talked about how he thinks this play is going to crack open a dialogue that will ignite change. He sees this play as a vehicle to get people to take action in our current political climate.